issue 6, june/july 2015 first lutheran · 2015. 6. 9. · first lutheran issue 6, june/july 2015...

Fir st Lutheran Issue 6 , June/July 2015

402 South Court Street Fergus Fal l s , MN 56537 218-739-3348 f i rst lcf fmn.com f i rst lc@l ive.com JUNE/JULY MESSENGER

A NOTE FROM EMMA STENSVAAG

I am a born worrier. I make lists upon lists upon lists in an effort to keep my worries at bay. I have an agenda filled to the brim with the things to do that day. Different colors highlight importance. Screaming yellow, blooming fuschia streaks, and neon blue highlighter scatter my agenda pages, marking importance in

varying degrees.

I e-mail people and use the red exclama-tion point for “read as important” con-stantly. I am the annoying person who says, “Did you get my e-mail?” when you’re sitting right next to me and I can see that

you did.

As some of you may know by now, I have accepted a position as a Coordinator of Youth Programs and International Intern-ships/Fellowships for an American NGO in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine. Maybe you’ve heard of the West Bank before in one scary news report or another. Maybe you know little about the area except that there is dispute over the land. Palestinians against Israelis. There isn’t enough space in this Messenger article to get into the politics of it all, but it is clear I am moving to a dangerous and hopeless-seeming land. You can bet the worrier in me is clashing

madly with the adventurer in me.

I scour the internet for news about Nablus, the West Bank, Palestine. What’s going on? What can I expect? What should I

pack?

I mark up dozens of post-it notes about the good-byes I need to make to my kids, my co-workers, my Chicago friends, my Minne-sota friends, my family. The letters and cards I’ll write to each of “my” refugee kids before I go. To tell them how much I’ll miss them. How much I love them. How much

I’ve learned from each of them.

But each night for the past week since I’ve accepted the position, I lay in bed thinking of everything else I need to do. Thinking of what to expect. What to pack. Who to still say good-bye to. Thinking, thinking, think-ing of what I need to do, do, do. Worrying,

worrying, worrying.

I was fortunate enough last Friday evening to be invited by a co-worker to attend a benefit for a Palestinian NGO called, “Bright Stars of Bethlehem.” The speaker and special guest was the Dr. Rev. Mitri Rehab, a world-renowned peace activist and founder of an arts school in Bethle-hem, Palestine. I was able to meet him one-on-one as I was the only guest at the event on my way to Palestine in a few short weeks. He was incredibly gracious and hospitable, giving me his business card and urging me to e-mail him if I ever needed anything, “even a place to relax for

the weekend.”

At the “Bright Stars of Bethlehem” event, Rev. Rehab spoke about the university he founded in 1995 and how much it has grown in 20 short years. But he also spoke about the destruction of living in the midst of Israeli occupation and how once, over 11 short hours, the Israeli forces destroyed what it had taken him and his colleagues 10 years to build. During the question and answer portion, one of the guests at the event asked, “You are so courageous and I am just in awe of your work and of your strength and bravery in the face of this

violence. How do you ‘do’ it?”

Rev. Rehab thought for a moment before responding. “Do it? I don’t really “do” it.

God’s grace is what “does” it.”

Now, some of you may know my father is

an “audible” listener, lots of ‘mhmms’ and ‘ahas’ while someone is speaking or pre-senting. Being my father’s daughter, you better believe I was “mmhmming” all over the place during Rev. Rehab’s speech. I almost shouted “Amen!” after this particular response. And yet, so much of what we learn from one another is truly easier said than done. In the midst of worry or terror, it is easy to repeat to ourselves, “God’s grace. God’s grace. God’s grace.” But that doesn’t necessarily still the shaking hands, dry the sweaty palms, or calm the swiftly

beating heart.

So, how do I “do” nothing? How do I trust in God enough to know He will guide me through anything and every-thing?

And yet, this question is asking me to “DO” something! What do I “do” to “do nothing?”

What a paradox.

I believe that the first thing to do is to rec-ognize that there is absolutely nothing I can

do to guarantee anything in my life.

One thing (out of the many hundreds of things) I learned from my refugee partici-pants in the two and a half years I worked at Heartland’s Refugee and Immigrant Community Services was the true courage and trust each of my participants must have had when they boarded the plane to the United States. Most come with no money, one suitcase for a family, little Eng-lish, and no idea of what to do or where to start. They arrive in Chicago’s O’Hare air-port, are picked up by someone from Heartland’s office, and often dropped off at their set-up apartment with a good-bye and a good luck and a we’ll see you tomorrow

at the office for all of our paperwork.

Continued on Page 7...

(This month, I’m giving our front page space to our former Youth Director, Emma Stensvaag.)

To “Do” Nothing

July 19 Sermon: “Rest for Body and Soul “ Text: Mark 6:30–44 Jesus knew how tired the disciples were after their missionary jour-ney. He invites them, "Come away to a deserted place all by your-selves and rest a while." Jesus sends the disciples (and us) into the world to minister to those in need. But he also has compassion on us and ministers to us in our weariness and need. He gives us rest and renewal. July 26 Sermon: “The Pot Luck that Never Ends” Text: John 6:1–21 How did Jesus do it? He fed all of those people with 5 loaves and two fish? And they had leftovers? It is an amazing miracle story, and yet it helps us to think of the bread of life that Jesus offers us each day and the ways in which Jesus feeds us. Today we gather to receive the Word of God and the Bread of Life and we are sent to share that blessing with the world.

JUNE WORSHIP THEMES

Issue 6 , June/July 2014

June 21 Sermon: “Sleepy Jesus” Text: Mark 4:35–41 Is anyone out there? Is God real? Does God hear our prayers? These are things we probably all wonder from time to time. Today Jesus ap-pears to be asleep in a boat, while the disciples are afraid for their lives. With Just a word, Jesus calms the disciples, and does the same for us. June 28 Sermon: “Breathing in and Breathing Out” Text: Mark 5:21–34 The woman who has suffered bleeding for 12 years somehow knows that if only she can touch Jesus, his healing power will flow out to her. We cannot touch the flesh and blood Jesus. But He offers us something just as good: his very body and blood. In the bread and wine of Com-munion, Jesus gives himself to us in a way we can touch and taste. His healing power flows into us today so we can leave here ready to share that healing with the world.

JULY WORSHIP THEMES July 5 Sermon: “We are Weak but He is Strong” Text: 2 Corinthians 12:2–10 Paul, the great witness to the gospel, doesn’t have a pain-free life be-cause he's a believer. He prays repeatedly for God to remove his "thorn in the flesh." But God gives Paul a different answer: 'My grace is suffi-cient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' It’s like we learned back in Sunday School: “He is weak but we are strong.” July 12 Sermon: “Rise Up” Text: Amos 7:7–15

Today we send the 2015 National Youth Gathering team to De-troit. We each are called to rise up – to see ourselves as wit-nesses to God’s story in the world , through our baptismal prom-ises to: Live among God’s faithful people, Hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, Proclaim the good news of God in Christ through words and deed, Serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and Strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

June 7 Sermon: “A Family Story” Text: Genesis 3:8–15 Every family has it’s stories – how grandma and grandpa met. How they squeaked through on little or nothing while He was going to grad school. Or, maybe how mom and dad worked together to grow a business from scratch. The first story from the book of Genesis is one of those ancient family stories that tell us something about ourselves and about where we come from. June 14 Sermon: “Kingdom Specs” Text: Mark 4:26–34 The mustard seed is a good example of how the Kingdom of God works – we see the small picture, the small thing, the small possibility, where God sees the larger picture, the large thing, and the large possibility. For today, we will try on some “kingdom specs” and try to see the world with a better, broader landscape view.

June 18th—The Hunger Ride is stopping in Fergus Falls!

Join us for “God’s Creation Feeds the World” at 4:00 p.m.

at Bluebird Gardens. Tour of Bluebird Gardens CSA,

Speakers: Mark Boen (Bluebird Gardens) and Ellen Sundberg (Sundberg Apiaries) Cost: Free

Closing worship with Hunger Riders is at 5:30 p.m. in The Magic Woods.(This worship will take the place of our Thursday evening worship).) Their farm is located just a few miles Northeast of Fergus Falls on County Highway 18. Worship will be followed by a light supper (provided) An offering

will be received to benefit ELCA World Hunger and the Fergus Falls Food Shelf.

Jacob Ecker & Christine Cooper,

Madison Puttbrese,

and Maegan Ecker

218-770-7193

Charles & Kristy,

Adeline, Lucas Wicklund

218-205-6976

Wade & Michelle, Summer,

Samuel, Corbin, and Jack Vogl

218-531-1411

Zach Rogers (Susie Ouren)

218-731-1331


2015 New Members joined First Lutheran

Church on May 17th

Kristopher & Sara, Alison,

Emilie, and Benjamin Koch

218-531-1021

New Members not pictured:


RELAY FOR LIFE June 19 at the MSTSC in Fergus Falls from 4-12 p.m. Please come and support our First Lu-

theran Walkers or come and walk with them.

Everyone is welcome and Luminaries will be lit at dusk!

Summer Coffee donations in the month of June will go to the

First Lutheran Relay for Life Team

Women’s Week at Luther Crest Bible Camp Monday – Friday, June 22-26, 2015

Theme for 2015: “ A Love That Never Ends”

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Matthew Marohl, College Pastor at St. Olaf College

There will be daily speakers and presentations as well as nightly entertainment with musicians and entertainers. Excellent meals, goodies and treats will be provided. Join in a week of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Separate programming is offered for chil-dren and grandchildren of all ages. What a great way to spend a week with a friend! First Lutheran Women will do a “day trip” on Tuesday, June 23 for those wanting to go for just one day. Pastor Jennifer will be driving the van so it will be fun for 12 of us to ride together. Sign-up sheet on Info Counter. Watch Sunday Bulletins and Information on Kiosk for more information. Contact Donna Quam or Margaret Kratzke with questions.

The van will leave First Lutheran Parking Lot (lower level) 8:00 a.m. on June 23—$40 per person or $100 per carload. We pay when we get to Camp. Day program and lunch included.

O.W.LS O L D E R W I S E R L U T H E R A N S

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, August 26 “Greatest Musical Show in the Northwoods” We’ll travel by Coach to the Woodtick Musical Theater at Akeley, MN to enjoy an afternoon of all kinds of music. We attended last year and enjoyed every minute of it, and we think the OWLS will enjoy it this year too.

In July, check Kiosk and Sunday Bulletins for details. There will be a Sign-up sheet on Info Counter and you can also check the Web! www.woodticktheater.net

How many of you would be interested in a visit to Bluebird Gardens? Mark Boen would be happy to have us come some day from 5 to 7 p.m.

If interested, sign up at Info Counter and I will arrange it.

How many of you would be interested in visiting The Prospect House in Battle Lake (Civil War Museum)? Sign up at the Info counter if you’re interested and it can be arranged.

If you have questions, call Margaret Kratzke or e-mail [email protected]

Love Days QUILTERS

Meets in Quilters Room

every Monday (9-3) throughout the summer. Come help & enjoy

the fellowship!

WELCA Board meeting

No board meetings

in June, July or August

Circles; Wednesday, June 24th

Sarah—does not meet in June, July, or August.

Hannah—1:00 pm at Church

Hosted by Jane Willett

(No meetings in July or August)

OPPORTUNITES FOR WOMEN OF FIRST LUTHERAN

Meals by Wheels

Put it on your calendar! First Lutheran drives for Meals by Wheels July 20-24 and

27-31. We are looking for drivers to donate one hour of their day to this great pro-

gram. The time commitment is approximately 10:50 am to noon. You can sign up

for one day or multiple days - you choose! Many volunteers sign up with a partner,

so grab a friend!

Thank you to the volunteers for driving for Meals by Wheels in April! Your dedication

to the program is greatly appreciated!


Check out these Summer Outreach Opportunities!

Charitable Donations

If you would like to support our outreach program but don't have the time or accessibility, please con-

sider giving financially. Our goal, as a congregation, is give $50,000 in charitable donations in 2015.

To donate to our benevolences (charitable donations), you can go online, mail in, or drop off your

offering in the church office. Simply write the name of the benevolence on your check or on an offer-

ing envelope. If you would like a list of our benevolences, please contact Leslie in the church office

or Rick West.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rick at 205-6963. Thank you!

Continued from cover…

They trust that the Lord (or Allah in many cases) will provide. They come with their one suitcase and trust that everything else

will be provided. What incredible faith!

Jesus once requested this incredible leap

of faith from his followers,

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Trusting God and leaning on Him to guide us and protect us is a constant battle with our inner doubters, worriers,

and list-makers.

But, maybe it’s the day-to-day attempt to deny ourselves (through fighting the

temptation to worry and lean on our own understanding) and take up His cross. To daily give up the control so that we can reach out our hands to

Him to hold.

In the stillness of the night as I lay in my bed with my mind running through all of the potential problems I might face: my lack of Arabic, Nablus having little to no internet or mail access, my worries that the refugee kids and fami-lies won’t love me like my refugee kids and families here do...it is in the still-ness of the night through the darkness of my worries that I turn to my Bible, my devotional, my journal. And turn on the music that soothes me now as I

remember to “follow him.”

To give up myself and take His

cross. To KNOW that He is doing everything so that I don’t have to.

This is how I “do nothing.”

I ask that my faith family at First Lutheran to please pray for me.

For more information regarding Tomor-row’s Youth Organization (the Ameri-can NGO I will be working for), visit

www.tomorrowsyouth.org

Emma Stensvaag

Does the hustle and bustle of summer keep you from attending church? Do you want to keep your commitment to giving, even though you are not able to attend church services? Well, you are in luck—we have you covered! First Lutheran provides many

convenient ways for you to five your offering!

SIMPLY GIVING—Have your offering deducted from your bank account. Contact Leslie in the office to get set up.

ONLINE GIVING—Visit the church website at www.firstlcffmn.com and click on the Electronic Giving tab. This option allows

you to make a one time donation or set-up recurring donation from your bank account and/or credit card.

ELECTRONIC GIVING WITH THE QR CODE—Scan the QR code (below) and you will conveniently be directed to the online

giving page on the church website.

You can also mail in or drop off your offering to the church during church office hours.


By: Lexi Wentworth

First off, the children of Tanzania seem genuinely happy even with what some people would call lack of possessions, but what I like to call lack of ex-cess. Yes, they have less than us, but it made me think that they might have less physically, but emotionally and mentally they have more.

“They have a huge faith in Christ, which is more valuable than anything

we could physically own.”

They are so content with play-ing in the streets and in all that

dirt. One little boy had even made his own toy out of what looked like a broom stick with the top of a plastic bucket nailed into the bottom of the stick, so he could roll that end on the ground. It was such a simple toy but he was having so much fun with it. What I miss the most about the Tanzanian children was their extreme friendliness and their immense excitement towards us. No matter where we went there were always little kids chasing our cars and screaming Hello at us. Another phrase we heard everywhere we went was, ‘Good Morning’. We could tell that

most of the kids didn’t actually know what they were saying, since we would hear that all day long, even if it was seven p.m. However, it didn’t matter what they said, it was more about how they said it, with enormous smiles and huge thrills in their voices. It is one of the best feel-ings to feel so special to a com-plete stranger. The children don’t care who we are or what we look like they are just so thrilled to be able to say hi and have us say it back.

“It was such a small no-tion but a huge sign to us that Christ was, and

is, there.”

Tanzania Team Testimony from Outdoor worship in August of 2014

Summer Coffee Servers Needed!!! Do you enjoy your cup of coffee

and treat after Sunday morning worship? If so we need the congregation’s help. Please take a minute to sign-up at the info counter for a Sunday that you can serve. We need YOUR help to have coffee on Sunday mornings.

Summer Worship Sundays at 9:30 am

Thursdays at 5:30 pm

Summer Office Hours 8 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Monday—Thursday

Open House for Christopher T. Richards

June 6th

1:00- 3:00pm

First Lutheran Church, Morris

Chris has completed his Masters of

Divinity at Luther Seminary. The

honor of your presence is requested at

an open house graduation celebration.

Those that wish to congratulate Chris but cannot attend are

welcome to send cards to:

Chris Richards

316 West 9th Street

Morris, MN 56267

June Service Units

The following are the people in this Unit

Please say “YES” when you are called to help!

LeRoy & Joan Anderson

Mike & Heather Andrews

Samantha Batzlaff

Bev Bernard

Tom & Robin Brimhall

Collette Cox

Darlene Dimke

Paul & Julie Dimke

Janice Gangl

Brad Johnson

Agnes Jorgenson

Justin & Deborah Knutson

John Kragness

Troy & Kris Kuehl

Wendy Mahler

Logan & Jasmine Sonmor

Tedd Muchow

Sarah Froslee

Paul & Cathy Neuman


July Service Units

The following are the people in this Unit

Please say “YES” when you are called to help!

Doug & Judi Hansen

Emily Hermes

Ramona Jacobs

Mary (Bjorgum) Johnson

Cary & Kari Knudson

Gary & Diane Korby

Daryl & Megan Kugler

Nadine Leabch

Glenn Anderson

Jeff & Kristy Love-Anderson

Darlene Berge

Cathleen Colling

Mark & Marcia Dufty

Nancy Ebersviller

John & Leigh Gervais

Leonard Hatzenbuhler &

Karen Lundstrom

Carmon & Audrey Jackson

Congratulations to our

2015 High School Graduates

Kyra Anderson

Emma Clark Annah Pajari

Ean Goos Eli Samuelson

Kaylee Grant Katie Shelstad

Brittany Kollman Olivia Stumbo

Keanna Overland Sarah Taylor

Sarah Overton Lexi Wentworth

Katie Peterson Diedre Yanske

Congratulations to our 2015

Confirmation Students!

Levi Danielson

Riley Hinsverk

DeAnna Hurley

Jared Kuehl

Cole Mahler

William Pajari

Ellie Swenson

Casey Thom

Logan Wentworth

Ryan Wilson

Max Wolfe

Missy Mattson

Keith Melberg

Tom & Barb Morstad

Ralph & Renee Pedersen

Anthony & Joyce Perez

Greg & Joanne Peterson

Robert & Cheryl Sefkow

Judy Stringer

Selmer & Pat Trosvig

Alice Peterson

Josh & Stephanie Rieck

Ellen Sehm

Todd & Teresa Smedstad

Sandra Thompson

Randy & Barb Vangrud

Brian Vatnsdal

John & Karma Wagner

Dustin & Dawn Walls

Connor & Dani West

SUNDAY

WORSHIP

SERVICES BROADCAST

ON

KBRF-AM 1250

*please note change of station

for summer months

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issue 6, june/july 2015 first lutheran · 2015. 6. 9. · first lutheran issue 6, june/july 2015...

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